Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat have agreed to a request from dynamic English batsman Tom Banton to withdraw from the coming KFC Big Bash League series this summer.
Banton, 22, missed last year’s tournament due to wellbeing concerns stemming from bubble fatigue in 2020.
He advised the Heat recently that similar concerns, including the prospect of a hotel quarantine period, would unfortunately prevent him taking up the second year of his contract with Brisbane.
Heat coach Wade Seccombe said that while the club had been looking forward to having Banton back for BBL|11, player welfare was of paramount importance.
“We had some good conversations with Tom during The Hundred about his intentions and certainly gave him the time and space to make his decision,’’ he said.
“In the end, he was honest and upfront with his decision-making and told us how disappointed he was not to be coming out, but we understand and accept his decision,’’ Seccombe said.
“We support Tom as we do all of our players. I’m sure that our fans and supporters will join us in wishing him the best in the future with his cricket.”
“We have some contingencies to explore in terms of completing our squad and we are working on that now,’’ he said.
Banton last night thanked the Heat for their understanding and support.
“It was a difficult decision but one that I know was the right one for me given the situation,’’ he said.
“I’d like to thank the club for their understanding and the Heat fans, who made it such a memorable experience when I was there last time.”
“I have very good memories of my time with the Heat and the way I was looked after there. I wish the lads all the best for the coming season and will be cheering them on,” Banton said.
The Heat have announced Chris Lynn, Xavier Bartlett, Sam Heazlett, Jimmy Peirson, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Matt Willans, Tom Cooper, Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (international) and Ben Duckett (International) as players under contract for BBL|11 and beyond.
Brisbane Heat memberships are on sale now.
Membership prices for the 2021-22 season will remain the same as the 2019-20 season, keeping prices affordable for families and representing a 40 percent saving on regular ticket purchasers.
Public tickets will go on sale later this year.
